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Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

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The most anticipated attraction of the region is opened its doors to the public on September 3, 2015. This marks the beginning of an era for unprecedented learning, adventure and research in the Peace Country. Prior to opening, the building itself had already wowed the international scene with its unique design, structure and engineering, but the true legacy began once the doors opened.

For the dinosaur lovers, the main gallery boasts a plethora of skeletons of species found locally that are bound to tease the imaginations of young and old. From the roaring jaws of a Gorgosaurus to the nimble fast legs of a Troodon, you will learn and be immersed into what the Peace Region would have looked like 360 million years ago. A special focus has been placed on the recreation of the local Pipestone Creek Bonebed, and visitors can interact directly with this exhibit, playing the role of a palaeontologist themselves! With the collection featuring pieces from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Canadian Museum of Nature, the opening of the Museum brings with it the chance to see previously unseen specimens, and to inspire the imagination of people of every age as they walk through the galleries and interact directly with each individual exhibit.

The special exhibits gallery will feature traveling exhibits and the opening of the museum begins with Ice Age Mammals, a tour featuring a full Mastodon skeleton and many interactive touchable items that tell a story about the mammals that walked our earth during the Ice Age.

And of course, because Alberta is rich in fossils, we are also fossil fuel rich. A playful, informative gallery has been built in the Museum, focused around the resources found here today, and includes a giant aquarium filled with many different species of local Alberta fish.

The gift store will be stocked full of goodies ranging from novelty dinosaur items and educational materials to First Nations' creations, featuring t-shirts, models, mugs, hats, and plenty more items for everyone.

The Museum is proud to host some unique attractions, including the Aykroyd Family Theatre which has been licensed by National Geographic and is the first and only theatre in Canada to be allowed to show National Geographic films. The Museum will also offer a variety of ways to visit and see the Pipestone Creek bonebed, including guided tours down to the Bonebed as well as exciting helicopter rides for an aerial view of the Bonebed, Wapiti River, and other paleontological sites in the area.

The Museum features a glass window that looks out and over the palaeontology research lab, giving viewers an exciting look behind the scenes of the museum and into the work being done by both our palaeontologist and our volunteers.

Out of the $34 million necessary to build the facility, the County of Grande Prairie is the major contributor funding the $19.39 million of the project, the provincial government providing $10 million, City of Grande Prairie $3.5 million, federal government $540,000, MD of Greenview $500,000, and $2.1 million from local communities, residents and businesses, and fundraising events.

To find out more about the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, volunteer opportunities, special events, and more visit http://dinomuseum.ca/.